I see that Parliament is going to debate changes in education provision at secondary level, and that there are two sets of proposals up for discussion inside the Labour Party.

I hope the outcome will be no selection at the age of 11, a continued role for local education authorities and enhanced opportunities for all children to do well at school.

League tables should not govern admissions, and should serve mainly as a guide for parents.

It is not a bad thing for Labour members of Parliament to have disagreements among themselves, but it would be undesirable for a Labour Government to get its proposals through only by getting the support of the Conservative Opposition.

On domestic policy - and certainly on a subject so important as education - the Labour Party should be able to stick together, and any cross-party agreement should be on matters which are not so ideological, such as civil liberties.

The new Conservative leadership seems to have a tactical approach which, if successful, can only work to the disadvantage of the other two parties.

I think the Conservative leader is "mixing it", to coin a phrase used by children at play.